Princeton University Athletics
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Six Tigers, Led By Ivy Champs Okubo & Wagner, Qualify For NCAA Championships
March 11, 2015 | Men's Swimming and Diving
After helping return the Ivy League championship trophy to DeNunzio Pool two weeks ago, the duo of Harrison Wagner and Corey Okubo will lead a group of six Princeton swimmers to the NCAA Championships later this month.
Both Wagner and Okubo were individual qualifiers in their respective Ivy title-winning events. Because Princeton also earned A-cuts in a trio of relays — and just missed out on a fourth — the coaching staff can bring four more swimmers to compete in the relay events. The decision of which four swimmers will compete in Iowa City will be made by the coaching staff later this month.
Wagner, who helped Princeton win four of its five relay titles at the Ivy League Championships, earned his second trip to the NCAA Championships after his performance in the 50 free. Wagner, who also competed in the 2013 NCAAs, qualified in the 50 free in 19.39, the nation's 16th-fastest time in the event.
While Wagner will conclude his collegiate career at the NCAA Championships, Okubo will be heading there during his debut season. He set an Ivy League record in winning the 400 IM in 3:43.95, which stands as the 23rd-fastest time in the nation, and the seventh-fastest among all freshmen.
As far as the relays go, Princeton qualified in the 200 free (9th, 1:17.35), the 400 free (16th, 2:53.04) and the 200 medley (11th, 1:24.95). The 800 free (6:25.39) and the 400 medley (3:09.56) both earned provisional status, though the 400 medley missed qualification by only one spot.
It is a terrific conclusion to a remarkable season, when Princeton reclaimed the Ivy title with a wire-to-wire victory at the 2015 Ivy League Championships. Eleven Princeton swimmers earned All-Ivy League honors, while veteran head coach Rob Orr was named Ivy League Coach of the Year during the same season he picked up his 300th career win.